Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

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abcuser
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Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by abcuser »

Hi,
I have a desktop PC that supports VT-x and has single dual core processor. I have virtual machine that had 1 CPU defined. Now I have changed in VirtualBox GUI to 2 CPUs. Starting guest OS and I still see only one CPU (single column in Windows Task Manager). Is this OK? What does it means "Processors" in VirtualBox? Is it physical processor or it should also run on dual-core single CPU?
Regards

My system:
- Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (host),
- VirtualBox 3.0.10,
- Windows XP SP3 (guest.
Sasquatch
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by Sasquatch »

Please use the search as described in the Forum Posting Guide. You need to change the CPU driver before the guest can use the second core/CPU.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
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abcuser
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by abcuser »

Sorry, I have already googled around and just can't fine any useful info about 2-cpus. "Change CPU driver"?
Sasquatch
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by Sasquatch »

Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
abcuser
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by abcuser »

Hi,
I have set 2 CPUs in VirtualBox GUI and then started virtual machine and followed external links about settings 2 CPUs:
1. I removed CPU drivers from Device Manager in Windows XP SP3.
2. Reboot
3. Install CPU driver - there was no "ACPI Multiprocessor PC" available to select from. It was only "Intel Processors" and "Processors" - I selected Intel.
4. Reboot
5. In Device Manager there are two processors displayed, but in Task Manager these is only one CPU displayed.

BTW, today I have upgraded to VBox 3.0.12.
Attachments
In Device Manager there are two CPUs displayed, but in Task Manager there is only one displayed (only one CPU column)
In Device Manager there are two CPUs displayed, but in Task Manager there is only one displayed (only one CPU column)
cpu.PNG (91.1 KiB) Viewed 16435 times
There was no "ACPI Multiprocessor PC" available to select only Intel Processor and Processor.
There was no "ACPI Multiprocessor PC" available to select only Intel Processor and Processor.
dev_man.PNG (18.34 KiB) Viewed 16428 times
Sasquatch
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by Sasquatch »

Check the View section of Task Manager. You can let it show one graph for both CPU's, or one per CPU.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

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abcuser
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by abcuser »

Hi,
I have checked and there is only "one CPU".
Regards
Attachments
cpu.PNG
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Sasquatch
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by Sasquatch »

Then it seems that the only thing you see, is the HyperThreading feature of the CPU, instead of the real two cores/CPUs you gave it. Or, that's also possible, you don't have the multiprocessor kernel running.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

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MarkCranness
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by MarkCranness »

Sasquatch wrote:Or, that's also possible, you don't have the multiprocessor kernel running.
I think that's the case. To get 'ACPI Multiprocessor PC', you will likely have to install it from your original install CD, or maybe it can be obtained from Windows Update. Do the Device Manager>Update Driver thing, but with your XP install CD in your CD drive.
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by Sasquatch »

You should not need the Windows CD, but it's a good idea to keep it nearby.
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
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See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
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MarkCranness
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by MarkCranness »

Oh, IMPORTANT: Don't Update Driver your Processors, you must Update Driver your Computer (second item from the top).

In general, whether you need your XP install CD depends upon what has already been copied to your system32 folder.
If the 'ACPI Multiprocessor PC' HAL (=Halmacpi.dll) is already there, you won't need the CD, otherwise you will.

Or it may be harder than that...
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283
Windows XP Device Manager and Windows Server 2003 Device Manager list limited choices for changing your HAL type when you click Update Driver. ...
... I'm not sure that you will be able to select the 'ACPI Multiprocessor PC' HAL.
http://www.myitforum.com/articles/15/view.asp?id=8997

These links claims to have solutions:
http://www.hardware.info/en-US/news/ym2 ... t_anymore/
http://java.akraievoy.org/2009/01/chang ... p-hal.html
 
abcuser
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by abcuser »

MarkCranness wrote:Oh, IMPORTANT: Don't Update Driver your Processors, you must Update Driver your Computer (second item from the top).
Hi,
you are right, I just updated the wrong driver. I should update "Computer" driver. I tried to update driver, but "ACPI Multiprocesor PC" is not listed in the list of available CPUs.
Regards
Attachments
cpu_computer.PNG
cpu_computer.PNG (56.93 KiB) Viewed 16257 times
abcuser
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by abcuser »

MarkCranness wrote:These links claims to have solutions:
http://www.hardware.info/en-US/news/ym2 ... t_anymore/
Hi,
thanks a lot. I have downloaded simple program to change HAL, start the program, select "ACPI Multiprocesor PC" and restarted Windows. After reboot I can see two CPUs in Windows. It looks like Windows didn't recognized the change of hardware...
Thanks a lot for help.
Regards
Attachments
2_cpu.PNG
2_cpu.PNG (24.51 KiB) Viewed 16254 times
FrodoHobbits
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by FrodoHobbits »

The zip file seems to be corrupt, could someone please post a location where I could download a clean zip file.
My searchs have come up with nothing.
Thanks in advance
Sasquatch
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Re: Is dual core CPU the same as 2 CPUs in VirtualBox?

Post by Sasquatch »

FrodoHobbits wrote:The zip file seems to be corrupt, could someone please post a location where I could download a clean zip file.
My searchs have come up with nothing.
Thanks in advance
Are you sure you're posting in the right place?
Read the Forum Posting Guide before opening a topic.
VirtualBox FAQ: Check this before asking questions.
Online User Manual: A must read if you want to know what we're talking about.
Howto: Install Linux Guest Additions
Howto: Use Shared Folders on Linux Guest
See the Tutorials and FAQ section at the top of the Forum for more guides.
Try searching the forums first with Google and add the site filter for this forum.
E.g. install guest additions site:forums.virtualbox.org

Retired from this Forum since OSSO introduction.
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